The Key Mistake the Toronto Maple Leafs Made at the 2023 NHL Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs stunned the hockey world on Wednesday night, selecting Easton Cowan with the 28th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The London Knights’ versatile forward was listed as a first-round shocker by many as he walked down from the top of the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to put on his new Toronto Maple Leas uniform, as he was listed way lower on most mock drafts heading into the night.

NHL.com’s official rankings had the prospect listed at 51st among North American skaters, while TSN’s Bob McKenzie had Cowan ranked as the 53rd prospect overall, and his co-worker Craig Button had him 34th.

Many are wondering what the Toronto Maple Leafs were thinking about taking the player at #28, but for me, the question isn’t who they took; it’s where they took him.

The Key Mistake the Toronto Maple Leafs Made at the 2023 NHL Draft

This year’s NHL Draft lacked action and trades, and it was the first time since 2007 that the first round didn’t see a trade executed. Although that was the scenario for 32 teams, the ideal situation for the Blue and White would’ve been bucking that trend and trading back.

While having just three total selections in the draft, two after the 150th pick, the Toronto Maple Leafs could’ve found themselves a trade partner and moved back, replenishing their draft pick pool while also still landing the player they ultimately drafted at 28.

Taking Cowan could end up being a home run for the Leafs, and it’s way too early to tell for a player who notched 21 points in 20 playoff games for the Knights this season, but where they took him is the issue.

For reference, the Leafs under Kyle Dubas as General Manager last year traded down three separate times in the draft, coming into the day with just three picks and walking away selecting five players.

Dubas got the Leafs to move Petr Mrazek’s contract along with their 25th overall selection to move to #38 (selecting Fraser Minten), a move that could’ve been very useful with current goaltender Matt Murray, whose contract the team desperately needs to get off of.

Another two draft day trades Dubas made involved moving down in the 3rd round from #79 to #95 (selecting Nicholas Moldenhauer) also adding a 5th round pick (selecting Nikita Grebenkin), while also trading a 2023 4th for a 2022 4th (selecting Dennis Hildeby).

It’s impossible to say whether or not Cowan will turn out and be worth the risk the Toronto Maple Leafs took on a player who was widely regarded as a reach, but what can’t be disputed is the team’s unwillingness to read the room on a player ranked much lower than their belief internally.